Saudi Arabia will press the launch button on the first 700MW phase of a planned 10GW renewable energy tender programme “in the next few weeks”, its energy minister said as he committed the oil-rich kingdom to seeking a "new engine" powered by wind and solar.

The capacity – comprising wind, solar and geothermal plant – is expected online “by 2023 or thereabouts”, said Khalid A Al-Falih, speaking at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

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